Fuze for rocket projectiles



April 23, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 14, 1952 INVENTOR:

ATTOKNEAS April 23, 1957 R. APOTHE LOZ FUZE FOR ROCKET PROJECTILES Filed June 14, 1952 4 ShQ'bS-Sheet 3 INVENTQR:

ATTOYLNIESS FUZE FOR ROCKET PROJECTILES Robert Apothloz, Waliisellen, Switzerland, assignor to Machine Tool Works Oerlikon, Administration Company, Zurich-(Berlikon, Switzerland, a company of Switzerland Application June 14, 1952, Serial No. 293,557

Claims. (Cl. 102-80) The present invention relates to a fuze for rocket projectiles comprising a longitudinally movable striker and a rotor rotatable transversely to the fuze axis which contains a primer cap in a bore perpendicular to the rotor axis and can be rotated from a safe position in which the bore containing the primer cap is tilted out of' the path of the striker, to an active position in which the primer cap is situated in the path of the striker.

Fuzes of this kind are known with spinning projectiles; In such fuzes centrifugal forces are used for tilting the rotatable body. In the fuze according to the present-invention, however, not the centrifugal force but the longitudinal acceleration of the rocket projectile is used for driving the rotatable body.

The fuze in accordance with the present invention is characterized in that the rotor is operatively connected with a body longitudinally movable in the fuze casing in such a manner that the forces produced by the longitudinal acceleration of the rocket projectile are usable for moving the rotor and that furthermore an oscillating body adapted to control the rotor movement and retaining means adapted to lock the rotor in its operative position are provided.

The accompanying drawing illustrates several embodiments of the invention. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the fuze in safe position;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the fuze taken perpendicular to the view in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, taken along the line IIIIII in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken along the line IV-IV in Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken along the line V-V- in Fig. 2; V I

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken along the line VI-VI in Fig. 1;

' cal extension 1c of the fuze body 1. The annular body Referring now particularly to 13 is arranged in a recess of'the fuze body 1 and is-rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the lon'gitudi nal axis of the fuze. In a through-going bore the rotor contains the primer cap 25 which, in safe position, is-- rotated out of thepath' of the longitudinally movable normal position the shoulder 4b of the striker 4 abuts the stop spring 6 in the point ofthe fuze. The head ia of the striker 4 projects from the fuze casing '2 and is f covered by a cap 7 of plastic material. g

The annular body 8 is movably disposed on a cylindriis pressed forwards by the spring 9. The tooth rack pin 10 is movably disposed in a bore 8a of the annular body 8 which is parallel to the fuze axis. The rack pin 10 issupported by a spring 11 resting against the annular body 8 and projects into a bore of the fuze body 1 where its rack engages a pinion 12 fastened to the rotor shaft.

Thereby the longitudinal movement of the annular body 8 is transmitted through .the spring 11, the rack pin 10 and.the pinion 12 into a rotational movement of the rotor 13. Due to the rotary movement of the rotor 13 7 the bore containing the primer cap 25 is rotated so as to lie in the axis of the fuze so that the primer cap 25 is in the path of the striker 4 and is directly connected to the booster charge 3 by a bore in the fuze body. In

a boreparallel to its axis the rotor carries a pin 23 sub- Fig. 7 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the fuze in armed position;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the fuze Fig. 14 is a sectional view, taken along the same line with the fuze'in armed position;

Fig. 15 is a view of another embodiment of the escape- 1 ment gear;

Fig. 16 is a developed view of the escapement gear shown in Fig. 15.

jected to the action of a spring 24. When the rotor reaches arming position the pin 23 engages a corresponding bore 1a in the fuze body 1 and locks the rotor in this position (Fig. 10).

An escapement mechanism is provided for controlling the rotor movement with respect to time. The carrier 20 is rotatably disposed on the shaft 13b of the rotor 13, and carries, on a shaft 16, the rotatable gears 17, 18 and 19 which are rigidly interconnected. The gear 17 engages a gear 15 seated frictionally on the rotor 13. The gear 18 engages a gear ring 21 seated frictionally in the fuze body 1. An oscillator body 22 is rotatably disposed on the rotor shaft 13b between the arms of the carrier 20 and is operatively connected with the gear 19 having pointed teeth.

Operation of the fuze is as follows:

In transport, orsafe position (Figs. l-3), the annular body 8 is pressed against the front part of the bore in the fuze casing 2 by the spring 9. If the rocket projectile is dropped on to the fuze in safe position, the point the action of the spring 9. The rotor 13,-which has also moved slightly, is thereby also returned to normal position by the rack pin 10. The fuze therefore cannot be armedby dropping.

If the primer cap 25 is ignited inadvertently in safe position, the detonation will not be transmitted to the booster charge, i. e. the fuze is detonator safe.

Due to the acceleration of thejrocket projectile on firing the annular body 8 slidesto the rear against the action of the spring 9,-thereby tensioning the'spring 11 (Fig. 4). The latter presses the rack pin- 10 to the rear (Fig. 9) which rotates the rotor- '13 via the pinion 12. The I i Patented Apr. 23,

Figs.] and 2, there is shown a. fuze body 1 disposed in the fuze casing 2 andcarrying, at its rear end, the booster charge 3. The rotor posed on the shaft 4 l a of the rotor 41.

' aire -so? rotaryhaovementbf the rotor is delayed by theoscillator bddy zl'th'rotiglfthe" osoopemoit'goar (Fig. 6) so that a certain time elapses until the'rotor 13 reaches its operative position in which tlre prim'ericap' :25 is in theEpa'thbf the striker; 41(Fig; '7). 1" As soongas'the rotor :reaches this posi,tion,{ the pin-23: iszpresseds into the'cxbore 1a by. the spring 24 gtherebydocking othelrotor; i The" fuze is then arm '(F -v1 U I If the rocket projectileghitsanobstacle beforeathe fuze is; arinedno: detonation 1carr occuryalsothe striker "4ois the: warhead 30. 'At the rear end of the-warhead 30 a casing 32-isdisposed inja bore 30a andtastened asvby a thread. -Thecasing 32 contains the'booster charge 33 andkthe' fuze casing 34 'The'fuze mechanism contained in the fuze: casing 1341is; substantially'the same as in' the embodiment described above and illustrated .in Figs: 1 to:,10. However, the rackupin 39 is rigidlyconnected to the-jannularbody-v 3.7 so that the'movementrof the-latter is ;transmitted: to-the rotor-directlywithout the intermediatepf a spring.;= Firing of .theprimer cap42 in'the bore 7 of gtherotor 41 is not by .a striker, as in the previous example, but byan ignition flash produced by'the impact .fuze J 3'1; and-.directedto the "primer'cap through the-bore 36b .ofnthe fuze body 36r The primerrcap 42 is movably dis= posed in the bore of the rot'orand supported by a spring" 43.. Disposed in the lower part of the fuze body 36 is a sleeve-44. into which theprimer capis: pushed by' its spring 43 when the rotor 41 reaches its. operative position,;whereby the rotor is locked.v

Opera'tionof thegfuze is ysubstantiallysimilar to the example described previously with reference "to "Figs. 1 to 10.

If the fuzejdropsonto its nose in safe position the impact fuze will be; actuated, but ,the' ignition flash pro 45 dueed will pas through the bore :36b-in'the extension 36a ofthe fuze body-36 and, hit-therrotor,'which isfin'thefl safe-position shown'in Figi 13, andthe primer cap will I not function; g

On firing the rotor is again'rotated byzthe inertiatorce 60 of the annular body 37. However, aszthe" body 37fis rigidly connected'to the rack pin 39 (Fig.11'2.)'-the inertia force ,is used 1 directly, without 'any intermediate springs,

to' mo'v-e the rack pin 3 to the rear and-thereby'to rotate the rotor. Deceleration of the-rotor- :is. again effected *by an escape mechanism with: an oscillator body, has 'described in the first example. When the rotor reaches its I operative position, the primerwcap '42,,is :pushedtothe'. rear and into the sleeve 44 by its spring 43: and locks" therotor41inthis position (Fig. 14).

In Figs. 15 and 16 another,embodiment*of;the:'escapement mechanism is illustrated. -A pinion 60, rigidly co nnect e dlwith a gear 61 by means of a shaft frotatablyrdis posed in the fuzebody 63, meshes with thezgear rin'g;15* of t'hefrotor. I 'lhegear 61 meshes with ,thegear ,64onthe: 65 shaft 65 The shaft 65 also carries a gear-T66 engagingwith" the gear 68 disposed on the shaft 67. TheZ-gearf69 with pointed teeth is coupled with the gear and -is in engagement with the oscillator body '70. 'rotatably-dis-' .70 The effect of this mechanism. corresponds, to; thatof the epicyclioescapement gearvidescribed,previously; p

The embodiments described indicate, ofcourse; ionlysome ot; the many; possibilities .for practicallrealiz ati of the-invention ,as defined-"imthek claims;.;; Instead ofith ikng 4 annular body, forexample, a, longitudinally movable body of any suitable shape could be used.

I claim: 1. A fuse for rocket projectiles, comprising a fuse body having a longitudinal axis, a rotor rotatably mounted in said fuse body transversely 'tosaid" longitudinal axis, said rotor being-rotatable between a safe position and an operative position and having a through bore formed therein the axis of said bore coinciding with saidlongitudinal axis in the operative position of said rotor, a primer' cap in said bore, means dctonating said primer cap on ion pact of said fuse when said rotor is in its operative'position, another body slidable longitudinally relatively to the first-mentioned body, a spring engaging the second-mentioned body and adapted to maintain it in a forward position, said spring being compressed and the second-mentioned body being moved rearwardly by acceleration forces during flight of thefprojectile, means connected. with the second-mentioned b'odyand sa'id" rotor for trans-1 forming' the longitudinal sliding movement of the second mentioned body intoa rotary'movement of said'rotor; means connected with the rotorfor delaying the rotary movement thereof, and means connected with said rotor for-locking it in its operativepo'sit ion.

2. A fuse for rocket projectiles, comprisinga fuse body having a longitudinal axis, a rotor rotatably mountedin said fuse body transversely'to' said longitudinal axis, said rotor being 'rot'atable between a safe position and an operative position and havingfa through bore formed there infthe axis of said bore coincidingwith said longitudinal" axis in the operative position of said rotor, a primer cap in; -said bore, means detonating' said primer cap on impact 'of- 'said' fuse when said-rotor is in its 'operative'position, another body'slidablelongitudinally relatively to the firstmentioned body, a spring engagingthe second-mentioned body and, adapted to maintain it in a forward position, said spring :being compressed and the second-mentioned body being moved re'arwardlyby acceleration forces during flight ofzthe projectile, atoothed rack connected with the second-mentioned'body, a pinion connected with the rotor and meshing withsaid tooth rack, means connected with the rotor for. delaying the rotary movement thereof, and means connected 'WlthTSHld rotor for locking 'it in its operative position. I

3. A fuse for rocketjprojectiles;icompri'sing a fuse body having a longitudinal axis; azrotor rotatably mounted "in saidfuse body transversely: to said longitudinal axis, said in ztheioperative. position of said rotor", a primer cap: in

said bore, a striker movable longitudinally on impact'o f said -fuse to detonate saidprimer eaptwhen said rotor is in its operative position, another body slidable longitudinally relatively to the first-mentioned b'ody,-'a'spring ena gaging the second-mentioned body and adapted to maintain it in a forward position, said springibeing compressed and the second-mentioned body being *moivedre'arwardly byacceleration forces during flight of the projectile," means connected with the second-mentioned body and said rotor I for transformingthe longitudinal sliding movement of the'second-mentioned body into a rotary movement'of said rotor, means connected with the rotor for delaying the rotary movement thereof. and means conected with said rotor for looking it in its operative position;

4. A fuse for rocketpr'ojectiles', comprising a fuse body having a'longitudinal axis, a rotor rotatably mounted in said fuse body transversely to' said longitudinal axis, said rotorbeing rotatable between a safe'positioniandian operative positionand'having athroughboreiformed there n,-

the axis of said bore coinciding with said longitudinal cap in in the-operative position of said motor, a primer said bore, :an impact fuse for detonating saidprim capby 13.11 ignition flash when'said rotoris'in itstoperatlve position, another body slidable longitudinally relatively to the first-mentioned body, a spring engaging the secondmentioned body and adapted to maintain it in a forward position, said spring being compressed and the secondmentioned body being moved rearwardly by acceleration forces during flight of the projectile, means connected with the second-mentioned body and said rotor for trans forming the longitudinal sliding movement of the secondmentioned body into a rotary movement of said rotor, means connected with the rotor for delaying the rotary movement thereof, and means connected with said rotor for locking it in its operative position.

5. A fuse for rocket projectiles, comprising a casing, a fuse body mounted in said casing and having a longitudinal axis, a rotor rotatably mounted in said fuse body transversely to said longitudinal axis, said rotor being rotatable between a safe position and an operative position and having a through bore formed therein, the axis of said bore coinciding with said longitudinal axis in the operative position of said rotor, a primer cap movably mounted in said bore, means detonating said primer cap on impact of said fuse when said rotor is in its operative position, another body slidable longitudinally relatively to the first-mentioned body, a spring engaging the secondmentioned body and adapted to maintain it in a forward position, said spring being compressed and the secondmeans connected with the rotor for delaying the rotary movement thereof, and a spring engaging said primer cap, the last-mentioned spring moving said primer cap to cause it to project into a recess formed in said casing when said rotor is in its operative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,561,687 Brayton Nov. 17, 1925 1,726,325 Varaud Aug. 27, 1929 1,774,043 Summerbell Aug. 26, 1930 2,324,846 Joyce et a1 July 20, 1943 2,448,228 McCaslin et a1 Aug. 31, 1948 2,457,254 McCaslin et al Dec. 28, 1948 2,593,775 MacLean Apr. 22, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 341,026 Great Britain Jan. 8, 1931 

